THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES has been a staple of CBC’s prime-time lineup for 22 seasons and in honour of the iconic Canadian comedy’s unique milestone year, CBC, together with the show’s creators and producers at DHX Media, is inviting Canadians to join in the celebrations with a live gala event and a special retrospective episode.

“We’re thrilled to have not one but two opportunities to honour this unique achievement for 22 MINUTES and everyone who has contributed to the show over the past 22 seasons,” said Michelle Daly, senior director, comedy, CBC. “Twenty-two years’ worth of jokes, sketches, characters – and not just the politicians – is a huge accomplishment and we’re proud to celebrate the legacy 22 Minutes has created and continues to grow in Canadian comedy.”

“This event is the first time we’ve been able to bring so many of the present and former cast together, so I’m as excited as I am terrified,” said Peter McBain, executive producer, 22 MINUTES. “If the hour-long special shows us anything, it’s that it’s the people who have made the show so memorable and so relevant year after year. The irresistible force of the performers meeting the immovable object of the politicians, there’s magic in that.”

The award-winning, record-breaking Canadian comedy institution will be recognized live at Toronto’s TIFF Bell Lightbox on Thursday, December 4th with a star-studded gala event, This Hour has 22 Years – Live in Toronto, emceed by CBC’s Jonny Harris (Murdoch Mysteries, Of All Places) and featuring current cast members Mark Critch, Cathy Jones, Susan Kent and Shaun Majumder as well as former cast members, writers, and the politicians they’ve spoofed over the years, all sharing their favourite moments. The show will also include special video features and hilarious highlights from past episodes. The cream of Canada’s comedy crop will be in attendance at the red-carpet event along with other celebrities from the entertainment world. The gala represents the show’s first-ever live event in Toronto. A limited number of tickets are available to the public free of charge here: https://this-hour-has-22-years.eventbrite.ca.

“It’s great fun that the CBC would even let us in the building, let alone throw a party for us,” joked Mary Walsh, former cast member, 22 MINUTES. “Seriously though, I can’t wait to see all the cast and crew, writers, directors, producers, and costume and makeup people – my god when you start to think about it it’s taken at least 22 villages worth of people to bring up this hour, and all of them extraordinary and talented and wonderful. This will be a great night and I am so honored to be asked to participate.”

The following week, on Tuesday, December 9th, CBC will air a special hour-long retrospective episode of 22 MINUTES, entitled This Hour Has 22 Years, at 8 p.m. (8:30 p.m. NT). The special will look back at the legacy the show has created over the past 22 seasons, through the best moments from seasons past along with interviews with cast members recalling what has made the award-winning, savage satire a hotbed of Canadian comedy for more than two decades.

Fans of the show can get their comedy fix between episodes by following @22_minutes on Twitter and @22minutescbc on Instagram, both using #22at22 and by liking 22 Minutes on Facebook.